While eBooks are great for on-the-go reading, for many readers, nothing beats the feel of a physical paper book. Of course, that makes choosing the right paper all the more important. With so many options out there, how can you decide which paper stock will work for your book? Instead of going with the cheapest option to save money or assuming the most premium stock is best, consider these four factors first when looking at book printing.
1. The paper weight
From newspaper to card stock, paper comes in a variety of weights. Thin paper, around 70 to 80gsm (grams per square metre), is generally ideal for novels, poetry books and light non-fiction. It's also the cheapest option, making it ideal for self-published authors. 100 to 115 gsm, on the other hand, is a good choice for anthologies, photobooks and kids' books that need to stand up to grabby hands. While there are higher paper weights available, these are generally too thick for conventional book printing.
2. The paper coating
Book printing paper generally comes in three coating options: uncoated (or matte), silk and gloss. The most basic and cheapest type of paper stock, uncoated matte paper, is a popular choice for novels and non-fiction books without pictures. Silk paper, which is more expensive, is generally reserved for photo books and art books. The sheen surface of silk paper stock makes images pop and colours shine in photos. Finally, gloss paper has the highest sheen and best vibrancy, making it ideal for kids' books and recipe books where enticing colours are important.
3. The paper colour
Most books are printed on either white or cream paper. While cream paper's tone is warmer and more muted, the eyes have a harder time distinguishing colour on its surface. As such, cream paper only really works for books printed in black and white. If you want an antique feel for your books, cream or ivory paper can help you achieve that. White paper, meanwhile, has more contrast, making images clearer. If you're printing photos in your book, white paper is a must.
4. The book's contents
Now you know which paper weights, coatings and colours work best, you need to think about the contents of your book. Will you be printing text only, or will your book include images? If you're including images, will they be in black and white or in colour? How important is the vibrancy of the images? Do you want your book to have a certain feel, be that antique, premium, or modern? These questions will all help you decide which paper type is right for you.
